Why be an atheist?

Now that we have discussed reasons for a ‘loss’ of faith, it is imperative that we explore the reasons behind having no faith whatsoever. Of course, some rationalisations of atheists and alike might be linked to the issues we have previously explained, but Atheism in itself does not rely on these classifications alone. There are many arguments proposed by those of no faith, but we have compiled a list of the most common and, we suppose, significant tenets.

‘God of Gaps’ - The Divine Fallacy

Dating back to the 19th Century, the concept of the ‘God of Gaps’ is used by both atheists and Christian theologians themselves. The evangelist lecturer, Henry Drummond, first use the phrase to criticise Christians who pointed to the gaps in science which might point to the existence of a God; the “gaps which they will fill up with God” (Lowell Lectures on The Ascent of Man). Of course, not all Christians root their theological perspectives in missing scientific knowledge. In fact, while these ‘gaps’ are not always taken to be evidence or proof of God’s existence, Atheists continue to counter religious belief by relying on such criticisms.

A Human Classification to Everything

In the past, most natural phenomena was perceived by society to be the work of God or some other spirit. This still remains to be the case for a number of traditional societies. However, over time, Science has become the ‘best explanation’ for the existence of such phenomena. This stems from the pure characteristics that make up human nature, this innate and unending search for knowledge and the hunger to master everything we touch. Atheists take this one step further by purporting that it is God that now requires some explanation.

In essence, everything has a human classification. But does it? Let’s look at components in chemistry, for example. Photons, Neutrons, Electrons… all the ‘ons’. However, a simple overview will reveal that, while we might know how to use these components, we don’t really know what they are. Interestingly, Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 both suggest that everything should be named.

Now, let’s look at the clock. The very man who invented the ‘Perfect Clock’ said himself that he would rather not participate in the very discussion of what time actually is:

"We ask “what is time?” but no-one knows what time really is. Instead of researching the essence of time, we have endeavored to measure time by making this cold atom clock"

Similarly, Stephen Hawking, in other words, suggested that one might be wasting his time by trying to understand what came before the Big Bang. Again, these are not the gaps in Scientific knowledge that justify the Christian position. Instead, these are the facts. God will always be the ‘best explanation’ for the phenomena that Science cannot itself explain. We will explore this in further depth later. Please find such examples specifically relating to Quantum Entanglement and Magnetism further on.

Similar ‘Myths’

Another, somewhat weaker, argument rests on the back of ‘similar’ creation myths. One example it the mythological idea of a World Turtle. “Turtles All The Way Down” is a concept that suggests the Earth is supported on the back of some World Turtle; simply, and strangely, it is an expression of infinite regress. The expression and mythology is thought to have originated in Hinduist beliefs (Jesuit Emanual de Veiga, 1549–1605). Of course, this can easily be countered by the very nature of Genesis and the evidence of the master work behind it.

“We just don’t know”

This one doesn’t take much explanation, really. We do not know, we believe.